HUMMING-BIRDS. 77 



pended almost intruded into the walk, and, every time we saun- 

 tered by, there was much danger of sweeping against this project- 

 ing branch, with its precious charge, and doing it some injury, as 

 very little would have demolished the exquisite fabric. In process 

 of time two lovely little pear-shaped eggs appeared, and, while 

 we were there, we had the great pleasure of seeing the minute 

 living gems themselves disclosed, looking like two very small 

 bees. The mother bird allowed us to look closely at her nest and 

 to inspect her little nurslings, when she was flying about near, 

 without appearing in the least disconcerted or alarmed. I never 

 saw so tame or so bold a little pet. But she did not allow the 

 same liberties to be taken by every one unchecked. One day, as 

 Sir C. was walking in the pretty path beside which the fragile nest 

 was delicately suspended amid sheltering leaves, he paused in 

 order to look at its Lilliputian inhabitants. While thus engaged, 

 he felt a sharp rapping on the crown of his hat, which consider- 

 ably surprised him. He looked round to ascertain from whence 

 the singular and unexpected attack proceeded, but nothing was 

 to be seen. Almost thinking he must have been mistaken, he con- 

 tinued his survey, when a much sharper and louder rat-tat-tat- 

 tat-tat seemed to demand his immediate attention, and a little 

 to jeopardize the perfect integrity and preservation of the fabric 

 in question. Again he looked round, far from pleased with such 

 extraordinary impertinence, when what should he see but the 

 beautiful, delicate humming-bird, with ruffled feathers and fier\' 

 eyes, who seemed by nO means inclined to let him off without a 

 further infliction of sharp taps and admonitory raps from her fair}^ 

 beak. She looked like a little fury in miniature, a winged Xan- 

 tippe. These pointed attentions apprised him that his company 

 was not desired or acceptable. As to me and V., the darling little 

 pet did not mind us in the least. She allowed us to watch her to 

 our hearts' content, and rather appeared to like our society, and 

 to have an air of saying, * Do you think I managed it well, eh V " 

 Regarding their manners during the breeding season, it may be 

 stated that both male and female sit upon the eggs by turns, and 

 it is stated on the authority of M. Drapiez, that they produce two, 

 three, and sometimes four broods in the year, a fact which will 

 enable us to account for the immense profusion of these beautiful 

 creatures scattered over their native land. Their nests seem to 

 be built in a greater variety of shapes and of more varied mate- 

 rials than the compact and elegant structures generally sent to 

 this country would lead us to suppose. The following remarks 



